Top 5 Ways You Can Take Advantage Of Solar Power For Your Home

With energy costs on the rise, it is no wonder that enterprising homeowners are constantly looking for ways to reduce the electricity bill and even figure out a means to generate energy of their own. A simple and efficient means to manage both of the aforementioned issues implies powering your appliances, tools and electronics with renewable energy.
Renewable energy in this context refers to continuous power generation with a minimum initial investment in equipment that can harness solar energy. Basically, you will have to purchase small scale equipment for harnessing solar power and incorporate it into your home's energy infrastructure. Let's explore the simplest five ways to integrate the continual free energy into your home.

1. Solar garden

If you're passionate about gardening, but hate to see all the wiring and cables stretching across your yard, then perhaps it's time to consider a solar garden. From solar powered birdbaths and fountains to solar sippers that you could connect to your deck, there are outstanding innovations out there that will keep your garden beautiful without adding to the energy bill.

2. Solar roofs

Did you know that the cost of a solar roof is practically the same as the one of a standard roofing solution? Not only are the solar panels affordable nowadays, but if you acquire them via a home improvement loan you might be eligible for tax deductions as well. Moreover, depending on the state you currently live in, you could also benefit from a tax credit for upgrading your home.  Just so you know, the most important consideration during the installation is to make sure that you use quality fasteners for securing the panels.

3. Solar outdoor lighting

Regardless of whether you need outdoor lighting to set the mood for a romantic dinner or for safety reasons, every home needs to have some sort of outdoor lighting. Since electric outdoor lighting could add a rough 20% to your electricity bill, you should consider the numerous solar lighting solutions. From the familiar landscaping light to the latest solar powered stepping stones, rest assured, you have plenty of options in this niche to suit your preferences and requirements.

4. Solar water heater

Estimated to reduce the costs of heating water by up to 80% in one year, a solar water heater could be an excellent addition for any homeowner on a shoestring budget. Granted, purchasing the necessary equipment and the installation are not exactly affordable. Still, you should not let the initial costs intimidate you, especially since you will recover your investment in a couple of years.

5. Solar powered HVAC system

In case you are living in a hot, arid location, then investing in a solar power HVAC system will considerably reduce the costs of your electricity bill. The solar powered air conditioning systems are currently available in two options, namely:

• Evaporative coolers (they are capable of cooling the air by blowing it over water-saturated materials; the solar energy for this equipment is mainly used for powering the engine and the fans).
• Hybrid systems (they are a combination of direct current and photovoltaic tech capable of switching between solar power and battery power as needed; the batteries charge from the sun during the day and can be used during nighttime).